View full sizeThe Fabulous Hubcaps perform Aug. 16 and 17 at Heritage Park in Frankenmuth as part of its Summer Music Fest 2013.

FRANKENMUTH, MI – Fans of Frankenmuth's Summer Music Fest 2013 have posted their plans on Facebook to attend the annual event, months before the first act takes the stage at Heritage Park’s Harvey Kern Pavilion.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” said Mark Janson, who's coordinating the bands that will fill two long weekends with music Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 8-10 and 15-17.

“Our biggest draw continues to be travelers, 7,500 people representing about 43 different states and four countries every year," Janson said.

They’re in for some big names, too, if only because the Summer Music Fest is among four or so polka festivals still in operation, Janson said. Watch for the Dynatones, Frank Borzymowski and Friends, Gary Brueggen and Lenny Gomulka, along with The Fabulous Hubcaps and their vintage rock ‘n’ roll.

The Summer Music Fest is now in its 26th year, or 37th, Janson said, if you’re counting from the day Marv Herzog and Harold Mitas launched the Summer Polka Fest. At its peak, it ran for 10 days on multiple stages, and even Janson was on onstage back then.

The Fabulous Hubcaps only missed one of the 26 years, said their manager, Jane Noelte, and that’s when they played the Birch Run Expo Center.

“Frankenmuth is our very favorite place to be, and as soon as we leave in August, we’re counting the days until we can come back,” she said. “On New Year’s Eve, we’re going to celebrate our 40th season and we would love it if there was some way we could do it in there.”

The band has some surprises in store, Noelte said, with new members expanding their repertoire.

“We’re moving forward a little, though we’re not modern enough for rap or hip-hop,” she said. “But along with Billy Joel, we’re also expanding on our music from the ‘50s. I can’t wait for everyone to hear our Little Anthony and the Imperials.

“We’ve been very blessed to be able to do this for so long. These guys aren’t in for the ego and it’s sure not for the money because we don’t make that much. But they love the music.”

Also returning is the German-style buffet along with hamburgers, bratwurst, wraps and other food items. And the beer is always flowing, Janson said.

Admission costs $16 on Aug. 8, $20 on Aug. 9 and 10, $12 on Aug. 15 and $8 for the polka portion of the day or $16 for The Fabulous Hubcaps, which includes admission to the earlier polka bands, on Aug. 16 and 17.